Plants that take the Eastern Province heat
Good-looking choices that don't need daily watering.
Summers in the Eastern Province are long and hot, humidity runs high in Al-Ahsa and along the coast, and the soil is often sandy or salty. Choosing the right plants from the start saves water and effort, and keeps your garden looking good all year.
Some of the most reliable plants in the region's gardens: bougainvillea, oleander, dwarf palms, cacti and succulents, and paspalum grass.
Bougainvillea
A climber with bold pink, purple or white flowers that loves full sun. It's great for covering walls and fences, and it dislikes overwatering: a little thirst actually brings more flowers.
Oleander
An evergreen shrub that copes with heat and salt and makes a good green privacy hedge. Note: every part of the plant is toxic, so keep it away from children's play areas and pets.
Dwarf palms
They give a garden an elegant local feel without taking much space, and suit entrances, beds and large pots.
Cacti and succulents
They store water in their leaves and stems, so most of the time one watering every week or two is enough. Plant them in free-draining soil with gravel, since standing water rots their roots.
Paspalum grass
One of the most heat-tolerant lawn grasses, and relatively tolerant of salty water, which makes it a good fit for homes and rest houses in the region.
Planting tips
- Plant them in autumn so their roots settle before summer.
- Improve sandy soil with well-rotted organic compost before planting.
- Mulch around plants with bark or gravel to cut evaporation.
- Group plants with similar water needs together so irrigation is easier to set.